hyponatremia

Sweating results in the loss of both electrolytes (particularly sodium) and water. Orange juice, moderate salting of food in the diet, and sports drinks help replace electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride lost during sports.

A recent article in the New York Times expresses one expert's concern that coaches and parents who press young athletes to drink fluids before, during, and after a practice, whether the athletes feel thirsty or not, may be putting young athletes at risk of drinking too much water, which can result in a dangerous, life-threatening condition called hyponatremia. We wondered what other experts felt about the article's advice, so we asked three of our go-to hydration experts for their thoughts.

With the end of winter finally here, temperatures will continue to rise
over the next few months. The National Athletic Trainers' Association
(NATA) has teamed up with the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) to prepare a
list of important tips that people of all ages can follow to enjoy
physical activity and exercise and also reduce the risk of exertional
heat illness that may occur from activity in the spring and summer.

Hyponatremia occurs where
sodium levels in the blood become dangerously low due to excessive
water consumption. Blood sodium levels that drop too low can lead to
seizures, coma, and even death. To prevent hyponatremia usually occurs in
endurance and ultra-endurance events follow these guidelines.

Hyponatremia is a relatively rare form of heat illness in which sodium levels in the blood become dangerously low due to excessive water consumption. It usually occurs in endurance and ultra-endurance events lasting four hours or longer. While children do not ordinarily participate in these kinds of activities, hyponatremia is so dangerous that it something sports parents should know about.